Art Mentors for NDIS Participants – Confidence & Independence

⭐ Art Mentor Role – Frequently Asked Questions

✅ What NDIS funding do these programs fall under?

Our programs are designed to support participant goals and independence. They are funded under the following NDIS Capacity Building categories:

Finding & Keeping a Job
Supports training for creative careers, digital art skills, branding, and employment pathways.
Increased Social & Community Participation
Supports programs focused on creativity, communication, social engagement, and community involvement.
Improved Daily Living Skills
Supports emotional well-being, fine motor development, confidence, and building routines.

📌 Mentors do not need to worry about billing — the gallery handles all invoicing directly with providers and support coordinators.

🎨 What skills do the programs develop?

Our art mentoring builds a range of NDIS-aligned skills, including:

Social and communication skills
Confidence and self-expression
Employment and vocational skills
Fine motor control and coordination
Digital literacy
Planning, time management and routine-building
Emotional well-being and resilience

Programs are created in-house and given to mentors to deliver — no lesson planning required.

👩🏫 Who will I be supporting?

You will mentor:

People with disabilities
Neurodivergent creatives (e.g., autistic, ADHD)
Individuals seeking independence, social confidence, community engagement, or employment skills

Participants choose their mentor, giving them empowered, person-centred choice and control.

💻 Are sessions online or in-person?

All sessions are delivered online, allowing mentors to work from anywhere. Mentors need to have a quality internet service with good lighting and audio. Sessions will be carried out on teams or similar program

🧑🎨 Do I need to be qualified?

No formal teaching or art therapy qualifications are required.
What you DO need:

✅ Strong skills in your chosen art medium
✅ A supportive, patient and inclusive teaching approach
✅ Willingness to complete required NDIS safety checks

🔐 What compliance checks are required?

Mentors will need:

NDIS Worker Screening Check
Working with Children Check
Agreement to our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy
NDIS worker required certificates

We provide guidance on obtaining these if you are new to NDIS work. Checks are paid for by the applicant, and all required training and certificates are part of the onboarding process and are not paid hours of work.

💰 How do payments work?

Mentors are paid per session for each booked participant; sessions are 1 hour with the participant plus filling out the required NDIS paperwork for each participant and 5 mins prep.
Rates are competitive with similar NDIS capacity-building programs.
Payments are made fortnightly once sessions are approved and mentors have sent Leah Justyce Art Gallery an invoice

🖥 Will I need to provide my own art supplies?

Participants receive their own supplies as part of their NDIS plan where required.
Mentors only need their own materials for demonstrations.

🌏 Can artists outside Australia apply?

Yes — as long as you are eligible for the NDIS Worker Screening Check and can deliver online sessions during Australian time zones.

Skills & Experience We Look For in Art Mentors

To ensure our participants receive a supportive, empowering, and high-quality creative experience, we are seeking mentors who demonstrate:

🎨 Creative Expertise

Strong skills in one or more creative mediums such as:
- Painting, drawing, clay, digital art, photography, mixed media, textiles, animation, branding/design, etc.
A passion for sharing creative knowledge and helping others grow

🤝 Inclusive Communication & Teaching Style

Ability to communicate clearly and adaptively to different learning styles
A patient and encouraging approach — celebrating effort and progress
Ability to break down creative concepts into simple steps
Confidence in working 1:1 online with participants or in small groups

🌱 Person-Centred & Strength-Based Mindset

Respect for participant choice, diversity, and individuality
Interest in supporting people with disabilities or neurodivergent creatives
Commitment to empowering independence and self-confidence

💻 Digital Readiness

Comfortable using video calls and basic digital tools
Willing to assist participants with simple tech setup for lessons
Professional and reliable home workspace for online delivery

✅ Professional Responsibility

Reliable time-management and communication skills
Ability to complete session notes and follow program structures
Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, and quality care

Preferred (But Not Required)

Experience teaching or mentoring others — formally or informally
Experience working within the disability or community sector
Knowledge of NDIS principles (training provided if not)

🎯 Most Important of All…

We are looking for mentors who are:

✨ Creative
✨ Supportive
✨ Passionate about helping others succeed

If you love making art and want to make a real difference in someone’s life — we’d love to hear from you!

Not Art Therapy — Creative Mentoring for Skill-Building

Leah Justyce Art Gallery’s Art Mentor Program is designed to support NDIS participants through capacity building and core skill development — not therapy.

Our Art Mentors are professional creatives who guide participants to:

✅ Build everyday skills
✅ Increase confidence and independence
✅ Strengthen communication and social connection
✅ Learn creative skills that may lead to employment pathways
✅ Engage meaningfully with their community through art

Unlike Art Therapy, our services do not involve clinical interventions, psychological assessments, or therapeutic diagnoses.

Instead, mentors provide:

✨ Practical support
✨ Goal-oriented creative learning
✨ Encouragement and skill development.

All programs are directly aligned with NDIS outcomes under:

📌 Capacity Building Supports

Improved Daily Living
Increased Social & Community Participation
Finding & Keeping a Job

📌 Core Supports

Assistance to access community, social and recreational activities

Our focus:

Empowerment ✅
Skill development ✅
Creative confidence ✅
Pathways to independence ✅

Not therapy.